This spring, more than 50 fourth-grade students from Charlevoix took their learning outside the classroom and into the field through Au Sable’s Restoration Ecology for Young Students (REYS) program. Over the semester, students explored local ecosystems, learned to identify native and invasive plant species, and designed a native plant restoration project for Boulder Park Nature Preserve.

The highlight came when students planted 1,000 native plants at Boulder Park with the goal of improving wildlife habitat, increasing biodiversity, and creating a beautiful, accessible green space for the whole community to enjoy. Their work not only strengthened the ecological health of the preserve—it also gave students a meaningful opportunity to care for the place they call home.

This project was made possible thanks to the partnership and support of the Little Traverse Conservancy, which assisted with site selection and preparation, as well as generous funding from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the MiSTEM Network.

Since REYS launched in 2017, more than 2,000 students across northern Michigan have completed over 50 restoration projects, planting more than 50,000 native plants. These aren’t just science lessons—they are real, lasting contributions to our region’s ecosystems.

Starting next school year, Charlevoix fourth graders will benefit from an expanded, year-long version of the REYS program.

We’re proud to walk alongside our local schools through this hands-on, place-based learning. Programs like REYS inspire young people to become environmental stewards and deepen their lifelong connection to the land around them.